CFD Team Lead

DLB Associates is a premier engineering and consulting firm specializing in innovative, mission-critical solutions across hyperscale data centers, advanced infrastructure, and high-performance building systems. With over four decades of expertise, we partner with some of the world’s most influential companies to design and optimize environments that demand precision, scalability, and resilience.

Join us and be part of a team where your voice matters, your work makes an impact, and your growth is a shared priority.

Position Title:Co-Simulation Engineer II

Position Location: Remote - workvirtually frommost locations in the United States

Salary

DLB recognizes salary ranges from jobboardsdo not necessarily reflect our pay ranges. In many instances we out-compete those ranges for well-qualified candidates.

Job Summary

TheCFDTeam Lead is a technical and people leadership role withinDLB'sDesign Department, accountable for the day-to-day direction, quality, and growth of theCFDanalysis team. This position owns all aspects of theCFDteam, including technical execution oversight, staffing, client engagement, and performance, serving as the primary point of accountability so the Design Director can remain focused on broader departmental leadership.

This role requires sufficient technical fluency inCFDand data center cooling analysis to guide scope, evaluate deliverable quality, and represent the team credibly with clients and leadership, while relying on seniorCFDengineers to performthe hands-on modeling. Deep, day-to-dayCFDexecution is not expected of this role; sound technical judgment and the ability to ask the right questions are.

TheCFDTeam Lead is expected tooperatewith a high degree of independence, providing the Design Director with a concise weekly summary of team status, risks, and priorities, andescalating toleadership along pre-defined pathways.

Essential Functions

Team Leadership & People Management (25%)

• Serve as the direct people manager for theCFDteam, including its core technical resources and project management resource

• Conduct 1:1s, performance reviews, and career development planning for all direct reports

• Lead hiring for theCFDteam, including drafting job descriptions, conducting interviews, and coordinating with Recruitment and HR

• Approve PTO, review timesheets and expenses, and manage day-to-day staffing and workload balancing

• Mentor team members and promote a culture of delegation, ownership, and continuous improvement

• Participate in weeklyCFDteam coordination and staffing meetings

• Solicit feedback from the Design Director and other stakeholders on team and individual performance

Technical Oversight & Quality Assurance (20%)

• Providetechnical guidance and oversight forCFDanalysis scope,methodology, and modeling strategy

• Review andvalidatemeshing, boundary conditions, and modeling approaches at an oversight level, relying on senior engineers for hands-on execution

• Coordinate and oversee QA/QC reviews ofCFDreports and deliverables

• Maintain and evolveCFDstandards, templates, and calculators, including documentation on SharePoint

• Serve as the escalation point for technical challenges the team cannot resolve independently

• Evaluate competing software platforms, licensing needs, and industry trends, and make recommendations to the Design Director

Client Engagement & Business Development (20%)

• Represent theCFDteam in client meetings at a leadership level, particularly for scope, risk, and strategic discussions

• Maintain and grow relationships with key clients,identifyingopportunities for expandedCFDscope

• Develop marketing materials, whitepapers, and conference presentations thatshowcaseDLB'sCFDcapabilities

• Support proposal development, including scope, schedule, and budget input forCFDprojects

Operational & Financial Management (15%)

• TrackCFDproject financial performance, profitability, and resourceutilization

• Enforce management ofCFDproject schedules, deliverable submissions, andresourcingacross concurrent projects

• Review cloud-based solver and software license usage and associated costs

• Coordinate closely with theCFDProject Manager to ensure consistent execution across the team

Reporting & Strategic Planning (10%)

• Provide a concise weekly summary ofCFDteam status, risks, and priorities to the Design Director

• Contribute to long-term planning and growth strategy for theCFDcapability

• Identifyand proactively escalate risks rather than reacting to them after the fact

Strategic Leadership & Long-Term Growth (10%)

• Transition into full people-management responsibility for theCFDteam early in the role's onboarding period

• Establish a reliable weekly reporting rhythm with the Design Director

• Reduce the Design Director's day-to-day involvement inCFDteam operations, technical escalations, and client-facing leadership over time

• Reduce hiring and staffing bottlenecks by owning theCFDteam's recruiting, onboarding, and staffing plans

• StrengthenDLB'sCFDbusiness development presence through marketing content, whitepapers, and conference participation

• Establish and scale clear technical standards and QA/QC practices across the team

• Build people-management experience and client-facing leadership exposure that support advancement toward broader departmental leadership roles

• Participate in departmental strategic planning alongside the Design Director

• Position the role for expanded scope over time, including potential advancement toward Analysis Teams Lead or Associate Director-level responsibility

TECHNOLOGY, DIGITAL TOOLS & AI-ENABLED EFFICIENCY

• Leverage AI-enabled and digital tools to enhance efficiency, reduce manual effort, and support consistent, high-quality work output.

• Identifyopportunities to improve processes anddemonstratea continuous learning mindset, seeking outnew technologies, skills, and methods that elevate individual and team performance.

• Adapt toemergingtechnologies and evolving digital workflows, actively supporting the integration and adoption of innovative tools across the organization.

Completion of Assigned Tasks and Deliverables on Time and on Budget

Performs Other Related Duties as Assigned

Position Requirements (Advancedlevel for all the following)

• Strong understanding of thermodynamics, heat transfer, and hydraulics (pump/valve/pipe networks and control impacts).

• Knowledge of organizationalobjectivesand how they relate to company policies

• Knowledge of budgeting andfinancial managementprinciples

• Strong leadership skills to motivate direct reports and ensure they are performing at their best

• Strong tactical decision-making skills to handle unforeseen issues that ariseduring the course ofoperations

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to interact with senior management, direct reports, and clients

• Ability toestablishoperationalobjectivesand work plans, and delegate assignments to direct reports

• Ability to evaluate technical workproductand ask the right questions without necessarily performing the analysis personally

• Skilled at using MS Office Suite (Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, Teams), along with exceptional organizational skills for file management

• Ability to work successfully in a remote environment through effective communication and organizational skills, self-motivation, proactiveness, and resourcefulness in a distraction-free workspace

• Ability to analyze and prepare documents, reports, and correspondence

• Ability to communicate effectively in both oral and written form (technical and non-technical information)

• Ability to work under pressure and meet close deadlines

• Organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks and direct reports simultaneously

TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Working knowledge of fluid mechanics, heat transfer, andCFDfundamentals sufficient to evaluate scope,methodology, and deliverable quality

• Familiarity with data center mechanical systems and cooling technologies, including traditional (CRAHs, fan walls, in-row coolers) and liquid cooling (direct-to-chip, rear-door heat exchangers) approaches

• Familiarity with data center specificCFDtools (such as Cadence Reality DC Design) and generalCFDtools (such as Star CCM+ or ANSYS Fluent) sufficient to review and discuss modeling approaches, without requiring hands-on modelingexpertise

• Ability to interpretCFDresults and reports well enough toidentifygaps, inconsistencies, or quality concerns

• Interest in staying current onCFDindustry trends, competing software platforms, and emerging analysis techniques

LEADERSHIP & COMMUNICATION REQUIREMENTS

Ability to communicate technical concepts effectively to clients, senior management, and internal teams

Strong leadership skills to mentor staff and build technical and professional capabilities within the team

Demonstrated experience managing people, including performance management, coaching, and career development

Leadership potential and genuine interest in team development and growth

Ability to work under pressure and meet close deadlines while managing multiple concurrent priorities

SOFTWARE & TOOLS

• Skilled at using MS Office Suite (Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, Teams), along with exceptional organizational skills for file management

• Comfortable reviewing output fromCFDand simulation platforms without requiring hands-on modelingproficiency

• Familiarity with project and resource tracking tools a plus

Physical Demands  

The following physical demands must be met by the employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonableaccommodationsmay be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is

• Frequently required to remain in a stationary position

• Frequently moving throughoffice,facilityand other environments

• On occasion the employee may move equipment weighing up to 25 pounds  

Travel / Relocation Requirements

• Approximately 10%,this may include travel to any or all 50 US states. 

• Travel is defined as physically leaving home on behalf of business activities including but not limited to client sites, meetings with other employees, meetingsfor business development purposes, running errands on behalf of the business, attending industry conferences, etc.

Education / Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical engineering(or similar relevant engineering field) anda minimum of3(3) years ofexperiencein a consultancy setting.

OR

• Master's or PhD degree in Mechanical Engineering (or similar relevant engineering field) anda minimum oftwo (2)years of experiencein a consultancy setting.

Benefits

DLB Associates offers a very competitive benefits package; highlights include

• Choice of comprehensive medical plans (including two PPO-style plans and a HDHP w/ HSA option)
• Flex spending accounts (FSA)
• Dental and vision plans
• Comprehensive medical, dental and vision benefits extended to spouse / domestic partner and dependent children up to age 26
• 401k with company match and self-directed brokerage account option
• PTO including additional paid time off during the last week of the year
• Company paid life insurance coverage for employees and their eligible dependents
• Short and long-term disability, AD&D coverage
• Professional development opportunities, tuition reimbursement and professional licensing assistance
• Paid parental leave after one year of employment

CO, CA, IL, NY, WA, and Washington DC residents only: In accordance with CO, CA, IL, NY, WA, and Washington DC law, the range provided is DLB's reasonable estimate of the base compensation for this role. The actual amount may differ based on non-discriminatory factors such as experience, knowledge, skills, abilities, and location.

DLB Associates is an EEO/Affirmative Action Employer and participates in the E-Verify program with the Department of Homeland Security. We encourage diversity in our workforce.

Are you ready to challenge yourself and redefine standards in the AEC industry? Apply now and join our award-winning team!​

​NOTICE TO THIRD PARTY AGENCIES:

DLB does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters, employment agencies, or other staffing services. Unsolicited resumes include any resume or hiring document sent to DLB in the absence of a signed Service Agreement where DLB has expressly requested recruitment/staffing services specific to the position at hand. Any unsolicited resumes, including those submitted to hiring managers or other business leaders, will become the property of DLB and DLB will have the right to hire that candidate without reservation – no fee or other compensation will be owed or paid to the recruiter, employment agency, or other staffing service.

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